FED-UP pupils who united to rid their village of a teenage trouble spot have been out in force again in a major clean-up operation.

Youngsters from Collierley Primary School in Dipton, County Durham, took part in a mass litter pick as part of a drive to better their surroundings.

The six to 11-year-olds have been involved in a Community Rangers scheme – where youngsters go on organised walks through the streets surrounding their homes on the Dipton estate to improve the environment. Last year, in an organised walk, they spotted the partly unused and rundown garages where groups of unruly teenagers were congregating.

They made their voices heard to bosses at Derwentside Homes and asked them to knock down the block their company owned.

And to their surprise the request was taken seriously and the bulldozers moved into Woodlands Terrace after the youngsters told how they felt intimidated.

Derwentside Homes decided to tackle the problem as part of its Community Investment Strategy which aims to listen to the views of young people when it comes to improving their local environment.

And the litter pick was the latest project.

Geraldine Wilcox, chief executive for Derwentside Homes, said: “I am delighted with how hard the pupils worked to make a difference to their local community.”